Indian batsmen failed to impress in the first innings of the ongoing pink-ball Test against Australia in Adelaide. While Ajinkya Rahane (44) and Cheteshwar Pujara (43) played gritty knocks, it was Indian captain Virat Kohli, who impressed after notching up 74 off 180 balls. Kohli looked well on course for his maiden Test hundred this year before getting run-out after a terrible mix-up with Rahane.
Kohli, who did not play both the warm-up games against Australia A, looked in complete control against Australia in Adelaide and played with great composure. With the help of his 74, India ended the day on 233/6 before being bundled out for 244 on Day 2 on Friday.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke said Kohli will be fuming to have missed out on his hundred and said the Indian skipper was the only batsman who played with the intent of scoring while others were looking to block everything.
“He will be fuming he didn’t make 100,” Clarke said on Sky Sports. “He was the pick of the batters and he was the only one that wanted to score runs, everyone else wanted to block it. This has been my concern with India from the start,” he added.
The former Australia captain further slammed the Indian batsmen for their slow batting approach and their tendency to see off the new ball. Clarke said the Indian batting line-up will be in ‘deep-trouble’ once Kohli returns home after the conclusion of the first Test in Adelaide.
“Their attitude is – see this new ball off. I’ve said it before, against Australia in Australia you will get one with your name on it. You’ll get a good ball. You’ll nick it and you’ll be out, all of a sudden you’ll lose two in a row and put your team under so much pressure,” said Clarke.
